ome
inhabitants. Then the first earthquake came. It frightened those
half-breeds and negroes blue. They set off in the sloop, leaving me
behind.

"Day before yesterday I came up this way. I guessed that the
fortification must have been thrown up by one party from the _Bertha
Hamilton_ and that this was the island we had been seeking; but
hesitated to come nearer, unarmed as I was, fearing that Ditty and his
gang of cut-throats were fortified here."

"Ruth saw you," Drew volunteered. "She thought you were an apparition.
And so did I, this morning. But you must have had a frightful time of
it."

"I've been keeping myself alive on fruit and shell-fish since the
turtle catchers deserted me. It's not a satisfying diet," Parmalee
said with a little laugh.

During this low-voiced conversation between the two prisoners, the
mutineers had been eating breakfast. They offered the young men none;
but neither Drew nor Parmalee was thinking of his appetite.

"Sit up close behind me, Parmalee," whispered Drew. "I believe I can
work on that cord that fastens your wrists. If I can get you free, you
can free me."

"Good! We'll try it," said the other confidently.

"That will do. Get close to me and let me pick away at this knot.
Ditty's too busy to come over here now. Besides, they're getting ready
to attack our people, I think. He believes we're safe here, and he'll
need all his men with him."

"You're getting it, Drew, old fellow," whispered Parmalee eagerly.

"Bet your life! One of the easiest knots a seaman ever tied. Now try
mine."

Parmalee did as directed, and the knot that fastened Drew's wrists soon
yielded. But the latter still kept his hands behind him and assumed a
pose of deep dejection, his companion doing the same.

As Drew had conjectured, Ditty had made up his mind to attack. He was
still unaware of what had taken place on the schooner during the night,
and was confident that he outnumbered the besieged by about two to one.
Time was pressing, for a ship might appear at any time. He resolved to
hazard all his chances on one throw.

At the head of his band he left the stockade. Drew and Parmalee waited
till they felt sure that all had gone and that no guard left behind was
stealthily watching them through the trees. Drew then got out his
pocket knife and severed their ankle lashings.

At that moment a volley of shots was heard in the direction of the
barricade. It was followed by ano